Crafting Your Own Mickey Mouse Ears

Mickey Mouse stands as the global emblem of the Disney empire, cherished by children worldwide. It's no wonder youngsters desire Mickey Mouse ears for playtime adventures or Halloween trick-or-treating. No need to splurge on expensive mouse ears when you can easily create your own using simple household items.

Get the materials for the ears. You'll need black felt and cardboard to shape your ears. If cardboard isn't available, stiff construction paper can be a suitable alternative.

• All necessary materials can be found at craft or fabric stores.
• If black felt isn't accessible, paint or color the cardboard circles black, or attach black craft sheet to them.
• If cardboard isn't on hand, sturdy construction paper can be layered and glued together.
• The chosen material should be rigid to prevent the ears from flopping over when attached to the headband.

Procure an appropriate headband. Opt for a black headband that's at least ½' (1.27 cm) thick. This will serve as the foundation for your mouse ears, ensuring a secure attachment to your head. A thicker band may offer added stability.

Make two identical circle templates from paper. Create two circles, each with a diameter between 3” and 5” (7.6 cm and 12.7 cm), featuring a ½” (1.27 cm) tab at the bottom. This tab will anchor the ears to the headband, resembling a globe lamp design.

Transfer your circle templates onto the felt. Using a paper template, trace four circles onto the black felt. Utilize chalk for tracing, as it can be easily wiped off later with a damp cloth.

Transfer the circle template onto the cardboard. The cardboard serves as the structural support for your mouse ears, ensuring they maintain their shape. Prepare two cardboard circles, one for each ear.

• You can also use the base of a bowl to trace and create the necessary ear circles.

Trim the felt circles. Use sharp scissors or fabric scissors to cut smooth circles from the felt. Follow the outlines carefully with a steady hand, and tidy up any rough edges as needed after cutting the circles free.

Cut out the cardboard circles. Using the same method as with the felt circles, ensure the cardboard circles match in shape and size. These circles provide structural reinforcement to the fabric, adding sturdiness to the ears.

Adhere the felt to the cardboard evenly. Use household glue to affix the felt to both sides of each cardboard ear. This process combines the internal stability of cardboard with the appearance of mouse ears.

If you're attaching the mouse ears to a plastic headband, opt for a hot glue gun. Hot glue from a gun provides a stronger bond between the ear flap and the base of the band. Alternatively, for more flexible headbands, you can use staples to secure the mouse ears in place.

Fold and glue the tabs to secure them under the headband. Ensure the ears are spaced approximately 3 inches (7.62 cm) apart. Use a hot glue gun to firmly attach the tabs to the headband, marking the desired ear positions beforehand for optimal placement.

• You may need to fold the ears upward and forward to encourage an upright position.

Allow adequate time for the glue to dry, if necessary. While staples require no drying time, if you've used glue, allow 30 minutes to an hour for it to set. Enhance the bond by holding the glued parts together for 5 to 10 minutes while the glue sets.

Get into character with a Mickey-inspired outfit and proudly display your ears. Whether it's Mickey's iconic yellow shoes and red shorts or a portrayal of one of his character roles, like the robed assistant wizard from Disney's Fantasia, embrace the spirit of Mickey Mouse.